Black Sticks beat Korea with late winner

Veteran striker Phil Burrows scored with four minutes remaining to hand New Zealand a 2-1 win over South Korea in their first game of the men's hockey World Cup in the Netherlands.

The game appeared headed for a draw after Kim Seong-kyu scored an equaliser with 6min remaining but 320-cap international Burrows proved the matchwinner with a deflected goal off a drag flick from Kane Russell.

New Zealand's goals came at opposite ends of the game, with Steve Edwards notching the opener after just 11 seconds - believed to be the quickest goal in World Cup history.

In a planned move New Zealand charged up the field en masse from the opening whistle, catching the Korean defence unawares.

The Black Sticks dominated much of the first half but Korea were more effective after the break, leaving coach Colin Batch with plenty to consider ahead of their second game against South Africa on Tuesday.

"Sometimes if you score early there's a tendency to be comfortable with the situation," he said.

"I don't think it was a conscious thing but Korea did mount pressure on us and had a lot of possession.

"We responded well and I thought once they equalised we played our best period of the second half."

The strongest sides in New Zealand's six-team pool opened with wins. Germany whitewashed South Africa 4-0 while the Netherlands beat Argentina 3-1.

The women's tournament is running concurrently in the Hague.

The New Zealand team face South Korea on Monday after opening their campaign with a 4-3 win over Belgium on Saturday.